Bridget is the vice president of Mercy’s Experience, Product Adoption & Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, where she is dedicated to elevating the experience and engagement of Mercy caregivers. In her role, she leads the charge to create positive, memorable experiences for all stakeholders, overseeing Mercy’s commitment to social justice for consumers, caregivers, and communities. Bridget works at every level of Mercy as a thought partner, influencer, and implementer, proactively shaping and executing an integrated DEIB strategy. Her efforts drive the development and implementation of Mercy’s comprehensive DEIB platform, ensuring alignment with the organization’s strategic goals. Her tenure at Mercy also includes serving as the Director of Human Resources, Vice President of the Talent Relations Center and as one of Mercy’s first four diversity officers. With a distinguished career spanning multiple nationally ranked health care systems, Bridget has left a lasting impact on every organization and community she has served. Before joining Mercy, she held leadership positions at Centene Corporation, including Director of Culture and Employee Engagement, Director of Training, and Human Resources Manager. She also served in Human Resources at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, where she progressed from recruiter to Senior HR/OD Consultant, and ultimately HR Manager/Business Partner for BJC Behavioral Health. Beyond her professional achievements, Bridget is deeply committed to health and wellness causes, volunteering extensively to support breast cancer awareness and fundraising. Notably, she was recognized as a hometown hero by iHeartRadio in 2012-2013 for her leadership in Sista Strut, a breast cancer walk dedicated to women of color. Bridget’s influence extends to her service on the Women’s Foundation of Greater St. Louis, MO, and the Good Shepard boards. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Fontbonne University and a master’s in business administration. An alumnus of the St. Louis Business Diversity Initiative Fellow – Cohort 8, she was also honored as one of Delux Magazine’s 2018 Power 100. Married to Shawn Bender for 37 years, they are the proud parents of three children—Nicholas, Briana, and Micah—and grandparent to Caden, Stella and Joie (JOY), Tripp, and Jewel. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, photography, traveling, playing with her Golden Doodle Marlo and spending quality time with family and friends.